Dental napkin-holder



(N6 Model.)

' I G.A.BRONSON.

DENTAL NAPKIN HOLDER.

No. 531,093. Patented Dec. 18,1894.

WITNESS s,- I

AZTORNEYS.

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PNITED STATES GEORGE A. BRONSON, on ST. Louis, MISSOURI.

DENTAL NAP KIN-HO LDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,093, dated December 18, 1894.

Application filed May 21, 1894. Serial No, 511,941- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. BRONSON, of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and Improved Dental Napkin-Holder, of which the following is a full,

hereinafter described and indicated in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar figures indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1' is a front view of the lower portion of a human face, showing the improved device in one position that may be given to it for the retention of a napkin which is omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the improved napkin holder, shown by full lines, and a folded napkin in dotted lines engaged by the holder. Fig. 3 is perspective view in part of the improvement slightly modified in construction. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the main portion of the improved holder device, showing another slight change in its construction; and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the improved device as shown in Fig. 2, on the line 5-5 in said figure.

The novel napkin holder essentially consists in the provision of a preferably oval shaped presser piece 10, which is dished a sufficient degree to adapt it to conform with and have an even pressure on the tongue of the person operated upon, the dimensions of said part being proportioned to allow it to efiiciently iserveits purpose, and avoid an objectionable bulk that would obstruct the free manipulation of dental tools in the mouth cavity. A light strong handle 11 is furnished for the presser piece, which for'etfectiveness is preferably formed of a wire rod, bent into shape.

As shown the handle piece 11 has an integral looped outer terminal and two spaced limbs, the latter being bent as at 12, to permit their ends to be secured on the convex top surface of the presser piece near one end of its oval body, and the limbs to curve upwardly and away from the part they are attached to, substantially in alignment with the elongated diameter of the presser piece.

On the convex surface of the part 10 the two similar keeper tangs 13 are affixed by one end of each, near the junction of the ends of the handle piece 11 with the presser piece, these tangs being slim needle-like attachments that are preferablycurved to substantially conform with the curvature of the side edges of the presser piece.

When dental surgery, or the filling of the cavities in teeth, is being conducted, the involuntary excessive discharge of saliva, tends to impede the operation if proper provision is not made for its absorption as the work progresses. Ordinarily the dentist uses a small folded napkin that as an absorbent pad, is inserted within the mouth of the patient and wedged into close contact with the gums near the tooth being operated upon. In order to retain the absorbent material in position, such a bulky rollhas in some cases to be used, that the operator is embarrassed, and free manipulation of instruments needed in the operation is obstructed by such an application of the folded napkin.

The improved instrument completely'obviates the necessity for inserting an objectionable bulk of absorbent material as will be seen.

To use the improved napkin holder, the operator folds a sufficient portion of the napkin 14 over the presser piece 10, as indicated in Fig. 2, and at the same time by an endwise movement of the instrument secures the folded material on the partlO, which may be pressed upon the tongue'and also against the gums of the patients mouth, thus providing an absorbent pad of no greater bulk than is required for its efficient service.

In Figs. 3 and at the construction of the device is in all respects similar to that represented in Figs. 1 and 2,with the exception that but one keeper tang 13 is provided,these views respectively showing one of the tangs on an opposite edge portion of the presser piece.

In some cases it will not be necessary to completely envelop the presser-piece with the absorbent material, it being only needed along one edge portion of the same for an application to the gums at one side of the lower jaw, and when this is so, the devices indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, become available.

While the operation of preparing the cavities of teeth to receive the filling, is being conducted or duringthe operation of plugging of said cavities with any suitable material, the patient, or an attendant, holds the improved instrument and an attached napkin or other absorbent pad in position, so that the operator can have the use of both hands for an unobstructed manipulation of the necessary projected oppositely from the handle piece, 3 5

substantially as described.

GEORGE A. BRONSON. Witnesses:

CHAS. F. LASSEN, S. J. FISHER. 

